WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has exclusively told WBN that the forthcoming mandatory between Bermane Stiverne and Deontay Wilder could be taking place on the champion’s home soil in Canada.

Sulaiman set the purse bid for September 12 as Stiverne makes his recovery from injury and is certain that an agreement will be reached by both parties for the fight to take place in November or December.

“With the purse bid now in place for September 12, I am confident that the fight will take place this year,” Sulaiman explained to World Boxing News.

“Everybody knows that there is tremendous interest and high expectations for this fight, and it will be a very good one with attention from all over the world.

“As this moment, I think Canada is the probable site for the fight as Stiverne is from Canada, but you also can’t rule out a major venue in the US.

“Don king is a great promoter and has done incredible fights all over the world, but now we must await the outcome before we know more.”

Wilder, 28, has been vocal in his frustrations at the fight being delayed and recently went through the motions by defeating Jason Gavern to extend his record to 32 victories all inside four rounds.

Even though Stiverne impressed with his dismantling of Chris Arreola, not once – but twice, Wilder may well go into the fight as a slight favourite in what promises to be the most intriguing contest in the top division for some time.